Rules

1. AR Mission Statement
Alternate Realms (AR) was created to provide a friendly, fun and supportive community for all players. It is intended to be a place where players not only write together but also support each other. We hope to expand our horizons and imaginations in an environment based on mutual respect, fun and collaboration.

2. AR Canon
Within AR, “canon” is defined as events that have happened in the stories of the Simulations (SIM) involved in the Task Force. Each SIM writes not only it’s own canon but also contributes to the overall AR Canon. The SIM’s Game Masters (GM's) are responsible for managing said canon. Although none of the Administrative Positions will be actively involved in the decision making of the canon, for the well-being of the group, they reserve the right to intervene under request from any player to inquire as to the reasoning of specific canon items. Should it become necessary, the GM council will be convened to vote on a possible new canon item if it may cause conflicts. This applies especially to any form of canon that might have a far-reaching influence on the group as a whole, like new major races/powers, potential big conflicts and extinctions.

3. Function of the Game Master (GM) Council
The Game Master Council (GM Council) is made up of every GM within the Alternate Realms. Under normal circumstances, the GM Council exists as the collaborative group within AR. However, if any matter needs to be put to a vote, the GM Council acts as the voice of each sim, and casts their votes in the matter. Every member of the GM council has an equal say and vote, no one is weighted more heavily against any other.

4. Rights and Responsibilities of Players
Players are expected to actively contribute to the simulation they are a member of by posting in a reasonably active constant way. Players are expected to abide by the individual rules of their simulation, as well as the rules of Alternate Realms in general with particular regard to the AR Mission Statement.

All players have the unalienable right to air their grievances and to seek counsel above their Game Master. All players have the right to retain propriety of their own characters aboard the member simulation, and to dispose of it as they see fit in accordance with the freedom of all the other players to do the same with their own characters.

5. Rights and Responsibilities of Game Masters
In addition to the above rights and responsibilities, Game Masters are expected to keep a reasonable level of activity on their SIM (the average is 4 posts per calendar month per player, or one post per week per player). Game Masters are expected to keep in clear communication with Alternate Realms Administrative Staff, and to report on the in character activity of their simulation once per calendar month.

All active GM's represent the interests of their sim on the GM Council. Should the GM Council be convened to bring a matter to a vote, all Game Masters are expected to vote within a reasonable amount of time, before the voting is closed.

6. Responsibilities of Administrative Staff
NOTE: All Administrative Staff Positions below are entirely Out of Character at all times, and are afforded no additional benefits above those of a Game Master

Group Commanding Officer - The Group Commanding Officer (GCO) shall be responsible for overseeing the general smooth operation of Alternate Realms, and to assure that the policies and general statements within this charter are being upheld by the member Game Masters and Players. Should a matter need to be brought to a vote, it is the responsibility of the GCO to convene the GM Council when deemed necessary.

For the purposes of fairness, should the GCO need to cast a tie breaker in a vote, another player from their simulation (if the GCO is also a GM) will vote on behalf of the sim, with the GCO casting the tiebreaker vote in that role alone.

Group Executive Officer - The Group Executive Officer (GXO) shall be an assistant to the GCO, and in case of availability issues, shall perform his/her duties temporarily. This position is appointed through nomination and then confirmed by majority vote of the GM Council.

Group Operations Officer - The Group Operations Officer (GoO) will oversee the every day operations of the facilities (wiki, forums) of AR with the objective of facilitating the communication processes in Alternate Realms. (NOTE: This position is a purely supportive role). This position is appointed through nomination and then confirmed by majority vote of the GM Council.

7. Equal Opportunity Clause
Alternate Realms firmly resolves that no player shall at any time be discriminated against due to race, gender, religion, sexual preference, etc. Each Sim Game Master shall be responsible for deciding what age rating is appropriate for their Sim for ensuring that said age rating is clearly posted on their site and that said policy is respected and adhered to.

1. Elections and Succession of Administrative Staff
For the purpose of being the overseer and figurehead of Alternate Realms, one person shall be elected to serve as the Group Commanding Officer for the term of one (1) calendar year. The GCO will nominate a GXO and a GoO, to be confirmed by a majority vote of the GM Council.

Elections will be held two (2) weeks before the current term is concluded. Every GM in AR shall be eligible to nominate and/or vote for their preferred candidate, with the outgoing GCO's ’s vote to be used as a tie-breaker if necessary. Any Donating player, regardless of position within AR, can be nominated. The nomination becomes eligible once the nomination is seconded by another player.

2. Recruitment
It is ultimately the responsibility of every GM to recruit as necessary for their own sim. That being said, the Administrative Staff is available to assist GM's with recruitment should any reasonable request for assistance is made.

It is considered improper to post recruitment advertisements on other Simming Organization websites without the express prior permission of the leaders of said organization, and such behavior should be avoided. GM's should also check the rules of any recruitment site, group, webring, banner exchange, etc, before recruiting.

3. Leaves of Absence, Transfers, Resignations and Sim Departures
Leaves of Absence: From time to time, it is understood that all players need a break due to real world responsibilities. Players are to inform their GM of any extended leave of absence (longer than 1 calendar week for the purposes of definition) so that their character is not included in the current plot, or can be worked around.GM's should inform both their players and the administration regarding absences and appoint someone to act on their behalf during this time. (or in GM responsibilities)

Player Transfers: Transfers of players from outside and interior simulations will be taken on a case by case basis. This will be at the discretion of the GM's and player in particular.

Sim Transfers: Transfers of entire simulations from independent or outside organizations will be reviewed on a case by case basis as to whether it is believed they will be an appropriate fit for the setting of Alternate Realms. Such cases will be voted on by the GM Council.

Resignations: You may, at any time, resign your character from your current simulation, or resign your simulation from Alternate Realms. You will have 48 hours to rescind this resignation before it is deemed final, and formally announced. Please privately inform your GM (if you are a player) or the GCO and GXO (if you are a GM).

Sim Departures: Wherever possible, support will be provided to assist in the smooth departure of a sim, provided suitable prior notice has been given to the Administrative staff.

4. Proposal Process
Proposals need to be submitted to the specific section on the Main Alternate Realms Forum. The proposal is then available for discussion and is open to all who wish to contribute. A proposal remains open for a minimum of one (1) week and it’s considered ready for voting as soon as its thread last reply is seven (7) days old. No further modification will be then possible and the proposal will be put before the GM Council for a final approval by vote.

This procedure will assure a transparent decision process and will also give every member of AR an opportunity to contribute their opinion in a cooperative way.

1. Accepted Genres
For the purposes of Alternate Realms, we have a saying: There is only one Genre. Our Genre. We of AR believe that all genre's have a place here in our group. If you have a sim that you would like to run, AR wants you to run it. If you can think it, it should be played.

While AR has specific genres that we run, we are always interested in expanding. If you have a sim that you would like to run but we don't currently support it, write up a proposal and submit it to us. Chances are, if its a good idea, we will help you achieve it.

Right now we support the following genre:
 * Star Wars
 * Star Trek
 * Stargate
 * Supernatural
 * Doctor Who/Torchwood
 * Forgotten Realms/D&D
 * Being Human
 * Resident Evil
 * Marvel/DC
 * Mass Effect
 * Battlestar Galactica